Part of the Northwood campus in Halifax. - Ryan Taplin / The Chronicle Herald

CAROLYN VAN GURP

If I had to move into a long-term care facility, Northwood would be my first choice, just as it was my mother’s after she was diagnosed with probable Alzheimer’s years ago. At that time, she and I visited most of the long-term care and seniors’ facilities in Halifax, with Northwood being our last stop.

The morning we visited Northwood, the lobby was buzzing with activity; staff and clients milling about, a class of young children just arriving and obedience class dogs just leaving. Within minutes and before looking around, Mom exclaimed, “It feels just like a village, this is where I want to come!” Mom put her name on the assisted living wait-list and within six months, moved in. We became the greenhouse volunteers; I delighted in the vibrant and caring atmosphere at the complex. So when it came time for me to downsize, I also joined the waitlist and eventually moved into Northwood Towers as a tenant. Mom has transitioned from assisted living to long-term care in the Northwood Centre, where she is today, COVID-19 positive and currently asymptomatic.

Northwood has suffered the tragedy of COVID-19 on many levels. Over 40 tragic deaths of long-term care residents. Families and residents losing direct contact with each other. Anxiety and grief on all levels, caused by circumstances beyond the control of anyone. The leadership and staff at Northwood have been amazing and I hold the deepest respect and gratitude for them. They have gone beyond the possible to do everything in their power to stop this virus, which entered the complex because of circumstances beyond their control.

From day one, I have racked my brain thinking of ways to protect my mother from the virus. The high level of care my mother requires means that it is not possible to move her to my apartment or off-site. Northwood sought government funding before the pandemic to reconfigure from shared to single rooms. I can think of nothing doable beyond what Northwood has already done to protect our loved ones.

Carolyn van Gurp lives in Halifax.

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